Nashville Police Chief's Son, Accused In Shooting Of Two Police Officers, Found Dead
The son of a Nashville police chief who was wanted on two counts of first-degree murder in the shooting of two officers was found dead on Tuesday (October 24) following a three-day manhunt, the Associated Press reports.
John Drake Jr., 38, son of Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake Sr., was a suspect in a shooting that left two police officers wounded outside a Dollar General on Saturday (Oct. 21) in the community of La Vergne. Officer Ashely Boleyjack and Officer Gregory Kern were injured during the shooting. Both officers were treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and later released.
On Wednesday (Oct. 25), John Drake Sr., issued a statement expressing his gratitude to the officers who located his son.
“It was my prayer that no harm would come to him or anyone else,” the elder Drake said. “I am heartbroken and saddened by the outcome. I appreciate the condolences and kind words of support as my family and I privately mourn our loss.” The father and son have been estranged for several years.
Don Aaron, a spokesperson of the Metro Nashville Police said that the manhunt began when the younger Drake stole a vehicle at gunpoint. When he asked a man and woman for a ride and they refused, he pulled out a gun and demanded the car in the driveway.
Drake Jr. was spotted on Tuesday by officers who followed the stolen car to the Edgehill area south of downtown, where it crashed after a car chase. The younger Drake jumped out of the vehicle and ran behind a nearby house. As the troopers approached the area, a gunshot was heard.
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“While the officers were surrounding the residence to contain the shed, a gunshot was heard and it appears that he has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” Aaron told CNN.
La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews released a statement on Tuesday announcing the end of the manhunt.
“The La Vergne community and our heroic officers can rest easy tonight knowing that the manhunt for John Drake Jr. is over,” the statement read.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement that Drake was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound by officers on the scene. Also, District Attorney Glenn Funk requested that Drake’s death be investigated by the TBI and ordered a full autopsy.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell described the younger Drake’s death as “a tragic end” in a statement.
“Our heart goes out to Chief Drake and his family at this difficult time,” O’Connell said.
